Savage Winter

by Constance O'Banyon

  She felt as if she had just been delivered a mortal blow. Windhawk had betrayed their love, and in doing so he had pushed Joanna into a corner. She would take nothing from this woman. After all, Red Bird wasn’t Windhawk’s wife yet.

  Red Bird smiled. “You are a fool if you believe that. I have already known Windhawk as a man and a lover. I will soon know him as a husband.”

  Joanna bit her lip to keep back her angry retort. She couldn’t bear the thought of Windhawk’s making love to this woman. If Red Bird was telling the truth, and Joanna saw no reason for her to lie, she would never again allow Windhawk to touch her.

  Morning Song could see the heartbreak written on Joanna’s face, and it caused a pain within her own heart. She didn’t like this woman who was trying to come between Joanna and her brother. Even if Windhawk had decided to take Red Bird for his wife, she had no right to say such things to Joanna. She thought it was time to take the Piegan woman out of Joanna’s sight.

  “Come, I will take you back to Gray Fox’s lodge,” she told Red Bird, wanting to get her away from Joanna before she made any other damaging statements.

  “I would prefer to stay here. This is where I will wait for Windhawk to return,” came the bold reply.

  Joanna raised her head and leveled a heated gaze at Red Bird. “This is not your lodge yet. Go from my sight!”

  Red Bird merely smiled and shrugged her shoulders—she walked from the lodge without a backward glance.

  Morning Song came up to Joanna, wanting to give her comfort, but Joanna backed away from her. “I want to be alone,” she whispered. “Please go.”

  When Morning Song sadly departed, Joanna sank down to the bearskin rug and buried her face in its softness. Hot tears scalded her eyes, and she began to sob uncontrollably. Her worst fears had been realized. Windhawk was tired of her and had cast her aside for one of his own kind. This was why he hadn’t come to her. While she had been suffering over his absence, he had been with another woman! She couldn’t bear to think that the hands that had caressed her body had also touched Red Bird’s body.

  Dear Lord, what was she to do? She was carrying Windhawk’s baby! Could she just walk away from him? Would she be able to stay and watch Red Bird replace her as Windhawk’s love? No! Never!

  Sitting up, she dried her eyes. Joanna wasn’t one to sit around feeling sorry for herself. Windhawk had betrayed her while he professed to love her. Even though she was carrying his child, it wouldn’t stop her from leaving him. If he was hesitant to face her now, she just wouldn’t be here when he did return.

  Joanna swallowed a sob. Why had she been so foolish as to think their love would overcome the differences of their two cultures? Windhawk wouldn’t think it was wrong to take another wife, while she would never accept such an atrocity.

  The tears on Joanna’s face had dried and the anger in her heart took control. The least Windhawk could have done would have been to tell her about Red Bird himself so she would have been prepared before facing her rival. How cruel he was to let her find out about the Piegan woman from Morning Song. Everyone in the village must have known about him and Red Bird, except her.

  What would she do? She couldn’t leave just now, since Tag was away. No, she could never leave her brother behind. She would have to wait until Tag’s return, and she didn’t have the slightest notion when that would be.

  “Dear God!” she cried aloud. “How will I bear this alone?” She stood up on shaky legs. Now she knew why Windhawk had pressed her to send Tag away on the journey. He must have foreseen how angry she would be when she learned the truth about Red Bird. He knew she would never leave without her brother and, as a precaution, he had sent Tag away.

  “I hate you, Windhawk!” she cried, ripping the bear-claw necklace from about her neck and throwing it across the lodge. “I will hate you until I die!” she sobbed, sinking down to her knees and laying her face against the soft bearskin rug, to cry out her misery.

  It was several hours later when Joanna heard a dear, familiar voice call to her from outside the lodge.

  “Joanna, it’s me, Farley.”

  She stood up and walked over to the entrance, hoping she had composed herself so he wouldn’t suspect anything was wrong. She knew Farley was shrewd, and it wouldn’t be easy to fool him.

  “It’s about time you got back. I began to think you had deserted me, like everyone else.”

  Farley gave her an inquiring glance but didn’t bother to ask what was troubling her. “I got the pack horse loaded down, you want me to bring the supplies in here?”

  Joanna shrugged her shoulders. “Yes, of course, bring them in.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Farley asked, giving her a searching glance. “You look a bit peaked to me.”

  “I’m just tired, nothing more.”

  “I got something that might perk you up a bit,” Farley said, reaching into his pouch and withdrawing a letter. “This here letter was waiting for you at Fort Union,” he said, handing it to her.

  “For me?”

  “Yep, MacKenzie give it to me, saying I was to see you got it.”

  Joanna saw her name written across the letter and was curious about whom it was from. The handwriting was unfamiliar to her.

  “Who could it be from, Farley?”

  “How could I guess? You knowed I can’t read. The best way I knowed for you to find out is to open it.”

  Joanna nodded at Farley’s reasoning. She was still too numb to feel anything at the moment. “Yes, that would seem the best way to find out.” She broke the seal and began to read to herself.

  Joanna,

  It is imperative that I see you at once. I need your help. I will wait for you every night the week of the fifteenth across the river just inside the woods. Please come to me as soon as you can and bring Tag with you. Tell no one about this since it is a life-and-death situation for me.

  HARLAND THATCHER

  Joanna read the letter over several times before she folded it and tucked it into her belt.

  “Who’s it from?” Farley asked with interest.

  “Just a friend. What’s the date of today, Farley?” she asked, knowing that he always kept up with what day and month it was.

  “Today would be the sixteenth,” he told her, looking more curious than ever.

  Joanna frowned, wondering what kind of trouble Harland could be in. She remembered the times he had helped her and Tag. There was no question in her mind but that she would meet him tonight. Of course, she couldn’t bring Tag since he was away.

  She dared not tell Farley or anyone who the letter was from, since Harland had specifically asked her not to. Knowing how jealous Windhawk was of Harland, Joanna knew he would be angry with her when he found out she had met secretly with him. What did it matter? she wondered bitterly. Windhawk had kept his little secret about Red Bird…what right did he have to object to her seeing an old friend?

  Claudia smiled up at Howard Landon, thinking how easily she was manipulating him. She hoped her plan would work tonight. If it did, by tomorrow he would be forced to make her his wife. He had been panting after her for over a month now, and tonight she would let him think he had worn down her defenses. She was now ready to entrap him with her body.

  She had asked him to come to the Hankins’ quarters, knowing she would have to move fast if her plan was to work. If Mr. and Mrs. Hankins returned either too soon or too late, all would be lost. Everything depended on perfect timing.

  Howard sat down on the wooden chair and smiled at Claudia. She was a pretty wench, and he imagined she would be a good toss in bed. If she succeeded in helping him get Joanna and Tag back, perhaps he would take her back to Philadelphia with him and set her up in a modest house. He had always envied the men who could afford to keep a mistress. In the past, he had always been forced to rely on tavern wenches and whores for his pleasure.

  He still had a fair amount of doubt, though, as to whether Joanna would follow the instructions in the letter Claudia had help
ed him to write.

  “What if Joanna isn’t fooled by our letter, Miss Maxwell? Suppose she and Taggart don’t show up at the rendezvous point? What will we do then?”

  “Oh, she’ll show up, all right. Joanna is such a do-gooder. If she thinks Captain Thatcher is in trouble, you can depend on her to go rushing to his side.” Claudia bent over Howard and her low-cut bodice slipped even lower. She saw his eyes move greedily over her breasts before he looked into her face suspiciously.

  “You don’t sound like you’re a friend of my niece’s. Do I detect a bit of animosity in your tone?”

  Claudia realized the hatred and bitterness she felt toward Joanna had crept into her voice. She cautioned herself to be more careful. “I’m just concerned about Joanna living with the Indians. You know I think she should be back with you where she belongs.”

  Howard’s eyes narrowed, and he got a faraway look in them. “Yes, she belongs with me.”

  For the first time, Claudia noticed how Howard’s eyes gleamed when he spoke of Joanna. Was there more to their relationship than she had thought? There were many questions she would like to ask, but now wasn’t the time. If her little scheme was to work, she must now set it in motion.

  “You must practice patience, Mr. Landon,” she said, lowering herself to kneel beside him. She could see his eyes were passion-bright and felt confident that her plan would work. Running her hand up his leg, she gave him her most seductive smile.

  Howard rose to his feet, taking her with him. “When will the Hankinses return?” he asked in a thick voice.

  Claudia rubbed her body against him. “Not for hours,” she purred.

  He pushed her back against the settee and quickly raised her gown and petticoats upward. He fumbled with his trousers and then fell on top of her.

  When he entered her body, Claudia felt revulsion, and she shuddered as his hot, moist lips fastened on hers. She would endure what she must to see her dreams fulfilled. There was too much at stake to pull back now. Let Howard Landon use her body…he would never touch her heart. She heard him grunt, and his body quaked. It hadn’t been too bad, she told herself. Thank goodness, it had been over quickly. Now she had to keep him occupied until just the right moment. If he left too soon, her plan would be lost.

  “Damned if you aren’t the best I ever had,” Howard breathed heavily in her ear.

  At that moment the front door opened, and Howard froze. Claudia tried to look helpless as she shoved him away from her and quickly pulled her gown down.

  Lucy Hankins blushed at the sight that met her eyes. She backed out the door, shaking her head in disbelief, while her husband glared at Howard and Claudia.

  “What in the hell is the meaning of this?” he bellowed in a loud voice.

  Claudia moved forward and took Howard’s hand. “It’s not what you think, Mr. Hankins! Howard and I love each other…we are to be married.”

  Howard looked down at her with a startled expression, and she could feel his hand tighten on her fingers painfully. She realized he was trying to hold on to his temper.

  “Miss Maxwell, I think you will find that such behavior will not be tolerated by The American Fur Company. I am appalled that you should choose my home for your…” he was at a loss for words. “I will ask you to gather your belongings and leave immediately!”

  “But where will I go?” she asked in her most helpless little-girl voice. “I have no one to turn to.”

  Ebenezer Hankins looked at her in disgust. “I will speak to Mr. MacKenzie, and I’m sure he will insist Mr. Landon make an honest woman of you.”

  Claudia felt Howard stiffen, and she lowered her head. Gazing slowly up into his face, she saw the murderous light in his little beady eyes. He realized by now that she had tricked him, but it didn’t matter. He was trapped and he knew it! Claudia was sure the stern-faced Mr. MacKenzie, who was in charge of The American Fur Company, would insist that Howard marry her at once. There wouldn’t be a thing that Howard could do about it, she thought happily.

  Claudia felt momentary apprehension when Howard’s eyes narrowed in on hers. Had she pushed him too far? She could see by the anger on his face he was not a man to cross. Reminding herself of how wealthy he was, she faced him without flinching. She was surprised that he had thus far uttered no words in his own defense. He just stared at her with those cold, beady eyes, and it was unsettling, to say the least. She called on all her courage as she faced him.

  “I would be honored to be Howard’s wife,” she said coyly. Claudia could hardly conceal her joy. Everything she had ever wanted in life was now at her fingertips.

  “I can assure you, Mr. Landon, if you are thinking you won’t have to marry Miss Maxwell, you are mistaken. If you don’t, you will be asked to leave Fort Union posthaste,” Mr. Hankins informed him.

  Claudia could see the anger in Howard’s eyes and knew what he was thinking. If he was forced to leave the fort now, he would never get Joanna and Tag back.

  She could almost see the way his mind was working. “I’ll make you a good wife, Howard.”

  His face reddened, and she thought for a moment he was considering striking her. “We shall see, missy,” he said in a quiet voice. “I’m on to your little game.”

  “Take her and leave,” Mr. Hankins said, indicating the open door with a nod of his head.

  Howard stalked out the door, looking straight ahead. Claudia ran after him, thinking she should try to convince him she hadn’t intended this to happen.

  “Howard, wait! I want to talk to you! It isn’t what you think, I never…”

  He stopped and looked down at her. “Save your little performance for someone else. You’re a poor actress, at best. My anger is directed most at myself for not recognizing your performance earlier.”

  “No, Howard! Please listen!”

  “Out of my way,” he said, shoving her aside.

  Claudia could do no more than watch his departure, knowing it would be best to allow him some time to cool down. She smiled, knowing she had won. There was no shame in Claudia—she had always believed that the end justified the means!

  Chapter Seven

  There was no moon to light Joanna’s way as she rode Fosset from the village. She had decided to cross the river downstream so no one would see her. Still puzzling over Harland’s strange request, Joanna halted her horse just before she entered the river. What kind of trouble could Harland be in that he would ask to meet with her in secret?

  Her anger at Windhawk was still smoldering just beneath the surface. Joanna was now more impatient than ever for his return. She couldn’t wait to confront him about Red Bird. First things first, she told herself. She would see what was troubling Harland—later on, there would be time enough for her to worry about her own problems.

  Urging Fosset into the river, she raised her doeskin gown so it wouldn’t get wet. The horse easily carried her to the opposite shore and up the steep bank.

  It was so dark she could barely make out the dense tree line in the distance. She felt a prickle of uneasiness and wondered if she had been foolish not to tell anyone where she was going. Wishing now that she had asked Farley to accompany her, Joanna urged Fosset toward the woods where Harland had asked her to meet him.

  The two buffalo hunters, Chester Boggs and his brother Jim, had been waiting impatiently two nights for the girl and her brother to show up.

  Jim, the youngest brother, was beginning to wonder if they had been sent on a fool’s mission. It was dangerous having to hide out in the forest during the day so they wouldn’t be discovered by any of the Blackfoot. He hadn’t been too fond of the notion of coming into Blackfoot country in the first place.

  “Supposing they don’t come, Chester? It’s damned risky hanging about here. If any Injuns come upon us, we’re dead men!”

  Chester sat with his back against a tree and his eyes glued to the river where the boy and girl would cross if they were coming. His brother stood near the horses, making sure they didn’t make any noise.


  Chester felt something biting into his thigh. Shifting his weight, he found he had been sitting on a pinecone. They had been waiting for several hours, and he was beginning to think the girl and boy either hadn’t gotten the message or weren’t coming at all.

  “Quit your complaining, Jim. If they do come, you and me won’t have to worry about money for the rest of our lives. We can live in style back East.”

  Jim moved to his brother’s side and bent down. “What’s the money worth if we get our scalps lifted? In case you’ve forgotten, this here’s Blackfoot country! I’d rather be dead and buried than face just one of them mean devils.”

  “That’s hogwash! There ain’t no danger long as we lay low and don’t do nothing crazy. You’ve been listening to too many of them trappers spinning their yarns. Next, you’ll be telling me you believe in that Injun Windhawk they was telling us about. Get back over there and keep them horses quiet. You’d be scared of your own shadow.”

  Jim stood up. “Hell, yes, I’m scared! If you had any sense, you would be, too. Just supposing for a minute this Windhawk is a real person?”

  “He ain’t real. He’s someone the Blackfoot invented to scare little boys and cowards like you.” Chester laughed softly. “If he’s real, then we’ll be dead. If he ain’t, and we get our hands on the boy and girl, we’ll be well set for life. Now, quit your bellyaching and get back to them horses. If they come, I want to make a quick getaway. We’ll need to be long gone before daylight.”

  Suddenly the brothers heard the sound of a lone rider coming out of the river. They both tensed, straining their eyes to see in the darkness.

  Joanna dismounted and stared at the tree line where the dense forest started. It looked dark and foreboding, and she couldn’t shake her feeling of uneasiness. There was nothing to be frightened of, she told herself. Harland would be somewhere nearby. More than likely, he was watching her from the forest right this moment.